The FAA said Thursday the decision to return Israel to the list of nations the US says meet international safety standards was based on an FAA review in October of the country's civil aviation authority.

The upgrade means Israeli airlines can expand their service to the United States
and form partnerships with US carriers.

Israel was downgraded by the FAA in 2008 a category 2 rating, which means a country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee airline safety or its civil aviation authority - equivalent to the FAA for safety matters - lacks technical expertise or trained personnel, or is deficient in its record keeping or inspection procedures.